Sometimes it is better to buy shares in professional investors than to buy units in their funds. You are buying the fund managers' ability to sell themselves. The ASX will be making the process easier this year, but DIY investors should be aware of the risks.

Australia's super funds grew by a fifth in 2012 and are up 13% since 2007. It is part of a global picture that sees global super assets top $US14 trillion. It will have effects on investment behaviour in the medium term.